Four score (months) and seven weeks(ish) ago...

I started this blog.  And I have been going in fits and starts since.   My tally is 11 pounds lost, 2 gained back, and holding steady.   I exercise, now.  I LOVE karate.  I even started (and stalled on, but have gotten back to) a couch to 5K.   My fits and starts are closer and closer together, which to me signals that I am nearing a real changeover where the relapses will be even fewer and farther between.  The carbs, they have a hold on me (stupid sugars acting as opiates!). 

A paleo, really low carb lifestyle is just not in the cards for me - nor really, do I think I want it to be...however, a mainstream "moderate carb"/Dr. Oz thing is not my bag, either.  I am a moderation type girl, but I can feel the moderation being way lower than a standard american diet "moderation" - i.e., the SAD guidelines hover around 250-300 grams of carbs a day.  When I was really really working at it I was keeping carbs below 80 grams a day, but that has not proven to be sustainable at this point in my life.  I do, however, think I could keep under 100 pretty easily and long term, which is something to feel good about.    When I look at my diet a year ago compared to today, it's an unbelievable difference.   The things I've learned I can easily live without are amazing.  The things I've found as sticking points are, well, sticking points.  And I need to get to a place where they are no longer sticky. 

Life is going to be crazy for me in the next 12 months (husband starting a 1-year intense academic program plus working on weekends and any schoolnight he can squeeze it in, so I'll be holding down the fort solo for the next year), and I will be trying my level best to attack the sticking points, but allowing myself grace when I falter.  There is a related diet/lifestyle thing going on with the kids, which I will put in another post in the coming days, as it has taught me a lot as well about them, and myself.

The next year's plan is:
-  Whole foods as much as possible
-  Good sources of protein and whole fats
-  Really limit white flour and sugar and use whole wheat products sparingly (not a problem, since I'm not particularly fond of a lot of whole wheat products anyway) - this is actually not difficult for me when I actually DO it.  I just slip back into old habits without even thinking about it
-  Make potatoes and rice COUNT when I eat them, in small portions and savor them instead of shoveling
-  Stop drinking FLIPPING SODA.  It's insanity.  The worst part is I actually LIKE plain seltzer, so I have no idea why I keep reaching for soda (when I'm out - we haven't had it in the house for months now)

And keep on exercising.  I am really, REALLY not a fan of warm weather, so this really challenges me for the summer months.  I have to keep up the running because I am signed up for a race with friends in August and I don't want to be beetlebomb finishing 2 hours after them.  But I think in the future, I am not going to be running in the summer and will stick with inside, cooler activities - and not sign up for races in the dead of summer (derp).  Though karate is a sweatfest too since they do not have air conditioning in the dojo, just fans.

 It would seem like I totally have the discipline to do this, it's just dopey hardwired habits that happen when I'm not ultra focused.  I have a LOT to think about and keep track of every day in my life, and unfortunately this gets pushed to the back after kids, husband, family, friends, work, house......but - I'm confident it will come more easily as I keep on keepin' on.

Miserable weather...

...makes me want carbs.  9 pounds down though, so I'm using that as motivation.  Still not drinking enough water.

Stomach ick again?

Bother.  But, I weathered it and am back to my usual, and am a total of 8 pounds down now.  Onward!

Oh, how the mighty have fallen....

...or something like that.  I sure ain't mighty.  Last week was HORRIBLE.  Virtually back to every old bad habit I had.  And the problem?  I was bored, tired, stressed, and didn't plan out what to eat.  So, I reached for all my old friends.  Grrrrrr.

Soooo, this week, I wrote out exactly what I'm going to eat all week.  Every meal, every snack, planned and typed and printed out so I can tick them off as I do them.  I may post a daily cal/carb/nutrient analysis.

I had lost 6 pounds, and gained 2 back.  Bother.

Moar wtr plz.

Last week was a week of replacements, this week will be the week of water.  Because I'm just not getting enough of it.  I plunk down to do some work in the morning and then next thing I know it's 2 hours later and I haven't had any water...then it's time for school pickup and errands and housework and running around and second kid pickup and after school activities...and hey, it's dinnertime and I *still* haven't had any water.  Then baths and bed and more work and oopsies, it's 11:30pm, time for bed!  Can't drink any now because I don't want to be up at night to pee, I need every minute of sleep I can get.  I'm lucky if I'm getting 24 oz a day, max.

SO:  Giant water cup, get ready to get some use again, friend.  I'm going to set a popup alarm in the morning to remind me to do it until it blends in with the regular routine.

Coincidence?.....

I'm 4 pounds down.

Lemme tell you what's a bad idea...

Letting yourself have a slice of pizza and a 1/4 glass of soda because it's the Superbowl, and you have a ton of wiggle room left for the day's goals.

Bad idea.

Bad, bad idea.

Monday sucked, coming back down off the sugary starchiness. 

Today was much better.

Now I know why "they" tell you to stay on this induction level for 2 weeks.  Ack!